There is one final consideration that shouldn't be forgotten. Two Democrats, Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd, are extremely ill. In fact, it is conceivable either one might be in the hospital at the time of a cloture vote, although Byrd was just discharged yesterday. In both cases having them be wheeled into the Senate on stretchers in order to vote on a cloture motion is well within the realm of possibility.

Bedridden senators have been wheeled in to vote in the past; it could happen again. According to Senate rules, however, wheeling in a senator only counts if the senator is alive.